Greater Mekong Subregion

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GMS Working Group on Environment (WGE) Meets to Discuss Strategic Directions for Enhancing Environmental Protection and Sustainable Management of the Subregion's Resources (August 2001)

The Seventh Meeting of the Working Group on Environment (WGE-7) was held in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR on 29-31 August 2001, attended by WGE members from all six GMS countries as well as representatives of international organizations and ADB. The meeting was held primarily to chart strategic directions for the subregion's program of cooperation for the environment. This was done through an assessment of the progress of the work program of the WGE, and its reformulation in the light of updates in the GMS program and its operational strategy. A substantial portion of the meeting was therefore devoted to discussions of the four ongoing/ completed Regional Technical Assistance projects (RETAs) on environment. Two of these, namely, TA 5899 (SEMIS II) and TA 5783 (Strategic Environment Framework or SEF), concerned enhancements in the way environmental matters are integrated in GMS development processes through improved information, monitoring and planning systems. The other two, TA 5771 (on poverty reduction in watersheds), and TA 5822 (on protection of wetlands) prescribed sustainable livelihood and resource management practices and investment projects for shared eco-systems such as wetlands and watersheds.

The WGE agreed on a number of major strategic directions for subregional cooperation in environment. Four priority areas for the environment sector were agreed upon, and these are as follows: poverty reduction; Strategic Environment Framework (Phase II); capacity building for local governments; and cleaner production (CP). The WGE also called for adoption of more participatory processes in development decision making, requiring capacity building for NGOs and local communities that would empower these groups. ADB assistance was sought for formulating a biodiversity conservation program for the GMS countries. Moreover, the WGE agreed on the need for strengthening the WGE structure, and enhancing regular exchanges between WGE members. A joint communique would be presented by the WGE for consideration by the GMS Ministers, for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, or RIO + 10) to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002. ADB and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) were asked to help in the preparation of the draft communique, to be circulated to the WGE members for their comments/ review.

For the entire proceedings, email: gms@adb.org

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